BILL NUMBER: S6553A
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to authorize Susan Gillinder, the widow of Robert C. Ritchie, to
file a new service retirement application and option election form with
the New York state and local employees' retirement system on behalf of
such deceased member
 
PURPOSE:
This bill allows Susan Gillinder, the widow of Robert C. Ritchie, to
file a new service retirement application and option election form on
behalf of her deceased husband with a joint allowance full option.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Authorizes Susan Gillinder, the widow of Robert C. Ritchie,
to file a new service retirement application and option election form
with the New York state and local employees' retirement system on behalf
of her deceased husband with a joint allowance full option.
Section 2: Provides that all costs associated shall be borne by the
State of New York.
Section 3: Effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
TIn July of 2016 Robert C. Ritchie filed his retirement paperwork with a
joint allowance full option to ensure his wife, Susan Gillinder, would
receive his pension should he predecease her. The paperwork was filed
with a retirement date of September 30, 2016. Unfortunately, Robert
Ritchie passed away from cancer on August 16, 2016. Despite the fact
that Robert Ritchie submitted his retirement paperwork and clearly
designated his desire for his wife to receive his pension, Susan Gillin-
der is only eligible to receive the in-service death benefit. This bill
addresses this unfortunate situation and allows Susan Gillinder to file
a new service retirement application and option election form on behalf
of Robert Ritchie with a retirement date of August 15, 2016 and a joint
allowance full option.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2021-2022: S1607, REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
Assembly
2021-2022: A6497, Referred to governmental employees
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost of this benefit is estimated to be $320,000 based on the
assumption that the payment will be made on March 1, 2019.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.